New system for irrigation drains RDS executive

The Royal Dublin Society has yet to resolve an €800,000 mystery, writes  Seán Mac Connell at the RDS

The Royal Dublin Society has yet to resolve an €800,000 mystery, writes  Seán Mac Connellat the RDS

It still wants to know if its spanking new irrigation system put in place to ensure good jumping ground in the main arena will actually work.

Fortunately for the society, which is this week hosting the Dublin Horse Show, the system is a dual one.

Not only does it irrigate, but it drains the new turf as well, ensuring that the ground does not get too soft.

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"We know that the drainage system works very well and it's been well tested this summer, but we have yet to get to use the irrigation system," said RDS chief executive, Michael Duffy yesterday.

"If it works as well as the drainage did over the last few weeks we will be very happy. However, it's unlikely that we will be having to use it for a few days yet," he said.

While the RDS may have no control over the weather, it is boasting that the grass surface on the main arena is world class and will cater, irrigated or wet, for both show jumping and rugby as Leinster play their games here.

He agreed with the assessment that the surface was designed for "hooves rather than hookers" but he said immediately after the show, work would begin on providing seating for the Anglesea Stand for Leinster's first game on September 22nd.

The amount of work that has been carried out at the grounds since this time last year has been astounding.

Two brand new office buildings are already built and one of them is already occupied at the ground as part of the €100 million development plan for the site.

"Over the past two years we have spent about half of that and we are proceeding as fast as we can," said Mr Duffy.

However, it seems money is no object at the RDS this week when one considers one of the top competitions, the Puissance (high wall) competition, which takes place later this week is worth more than €35,000 to the winner.

To win the event the horse and rider have to clear well over seven feet to win. This means that each inch jumped is worth about €415 to the winner.

The really heavy competition begins later today when the ladies go to war to see who will win the €10,000 Ladies' Day first prize.